Boil water notices: water safety guide¶

Boil water advisories are issued by municipal water utilities when main pipe breaks, flooding, or power loss at treatment plants introduce bacteria or pathogens into tap water.

Do this now¶

1. Do not drink untreated tap water, brush teeth, or use tap water for baby formula or ice.
2. Bring tap water to a rolling boil for 1 full minute (3 minutes at elevations over 2,000 meters or 6,500 feet).
3. Allow the boiled water to cool naturally before storing in clean, covered containers.
4. Use boiled or bottled water for drinking, cooking, washing dishes, and pet food.
5. Use commercially bottled water if boiling is not possible.

What is safe during a boil water advisory¶

Safe activities using unboiled tap water: - Showering or bathing (adults and older children, provided no water is swallowed). - Washing clothes in washing machines (ensure clothes dry completely). - Flushing toilets.

Activities requiring BOILED or BOTTLED water: - Drinking water and making ice cubes. - Washing fruits, vegetables, and preparing food. - Brushing teeth and washing hands before cooking. - Preparing infant formula and feeding pets. - Washing dishes by hand (unless using a final rinse in a bleach solution).

Dishwashing safety during a boil notice¶

• Dishwasher: Safe to use only if the dishwasher has a high-temperature sanitize cycle that reaches at least 65 degrees Celsius (150 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Handwashing: Wash dishes with warm soapy tap water, then soak them for 1 minute in a clear rinse basin containing 1 teaspoon of unscented household bleach per 4 liters (1 gallon) of water. Allow dishes to air dry completely.

Disinfecting water when boiling is unavailable¶

If power fails and you cannot boil water, sanitize water using liquid household bleach:

• Add 2 drops of plain, unscented 8.25 percent household bleach per 1 liter (1 quart) of clear water (or 6 drops per gallon).
• Stir and let stand for 30 minutes. Water should have a faint chlorine smell.

Related guides¶

• Drought and water shortages
• Emergency kit checklist
• Emergency numbers